Events
20th of May Calendar of Events
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Signature events
10:00 a.m. John G. Riley Center & Museum Civil War Commemorative Service at the Old City Cemetery
The 2nd Infantry Regiment USCT will perform a Union soldier reenactment with a traditional 21-gun salute to fallen soldiers. Members of the community will join the ceremony of decorating the graves of Civil War soldiers.
11:00 a.m. Church bells in Tallahassee area will ring for 2 minutes to announce the dawning of the special day of freedom.
11:30 a.m. Dramatic reading of the Emancipation Proclamation
Speeches and music are presented on the front steps of the Knott House Museum. This year’s program features Dr. Larry E. Rivers, former president of Fort Valley State University and distinguished professor of history, Florida A&M University. After the program, free lunch and activities are available in Lewis Park across from the Knott House Museum.
2:00—4:00 p.m., Tallahassee Museums Open
The Grove Museum and the Union Bank Museum (219 Apalachee Parkway) will be open to the public for tours.
EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
2 pm to 4 pm: Tallahassee museums open
Union Bank Museum (219 Apalachee Parkway)
The Grove Museum (902 N Monroe Street)
John G. Riley Center & Museum (419 E Jefferson St.) – free admission
Florida Historic Capitol Museum (400 S Monroe St.)
Other Tallahassee Events in May
MAY 1–31
Division of Library and Information Services various resources at: https://bit.ly/3LgIiVA
SATURDAY, MAY 9
2:00 - 5:00 PM: Emancipation Induction Ceremony, New Image Christian Center, 1904 Old Bainbridge Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303
SATURDAY, MAY 16
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Walk Through Living History - Speed Spencer Stephens Park, 1907 Saxon St., Tallahassee, FL 32310
2nd Infantry Regiment USCT will be hosting a Walk Through Living History Day at Speed Spencer Stephens Park
TUESDAY, MAY 19
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM: Journey to Emancipation Conference, Cascades Parkview Center, 1001 S. Gadsen St., Tallahassee, FL 32301 (registration required)
Presented by the City of Tallahassee's John G. Riley Center & Museum and the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network
SATURDAY, MAY 23
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Emancipation and Abolitionist Ball - Tallahassee State College, 444 Appleyard Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32304 (ticketed event)
2nd Infantry Regiment USCT celebrates the Emancipation and Abolitionist Ball at Tallahassee State College
Other Florida Events
SATURDAY, MAY 16
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Emancipation Proclamation: Reenactment of the Historic Reading, Gazebo Park, 80 SE Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994
Presented by Martin County Black Heritage Initiatives, including lectures by Dr. Hubert Cleland Jackson and Marcea Oetting
SATURDAY, MAY 23
12:00 PM: The African-American Museum of the Arts Emancipation Day Event, 325 South Clara Avenue, DeLand, FL 32721
This event will include a keynote speaker, reenactors, African drummers, music, and poetry
